Pamela Brown from Forres collecting for Cash for Kids
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A FUNDRAISER from Forres hopes to continue her successful mission to provide presents for underprivileged children this festive season.
Estate agent Pamela Brown from Edgehill Road first raised £1960 for the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas campaign in 2017, £6000 in 2018, £12,637 in 2019 then nearly £20k in 2020.
She said: "It breaks my heart to think of any child without a parcel to open on Christmas morning. I initially felt I could help by collecting gifts from friends and family and the fundraising has been more successful every year.
"It makes Christmas knowing that we have helped children have the magical time they deserve."
Cash for Kids is a grant-giving charity, raising funds for children in the Highlands and Moray. The Mission Christmas appeal works by asking contributors to buy an extra gift for donation during their Christmas shopping.
The organisers ask for new, unwrapped gifts for young people up to 18 years of age, particularly items for babies and teenage boys including developmental toys, toiletries, rucksacks, stationary, water bottles, footballs, sports socks, hats, scarves and gloves.
Generic items and everyday essentials such as blankets, bibs, bottles are also appreciated.
The campaign aims to give every child £50-worth of gifts.
Pamela and her mum Helen collect items and cash donations on behalf of the appeal.
Pamela said: "In 2017, my thought was to be thrifty and see how many gifts I could buy with my own donation. My Mum matched it and things flourished from there with family, work colleagues and friends donating too.
"Mum and I shop for gifts with the donations made. We buy a wide selection of gifts but take guidance from Cash for Kids with regards to what they are short of."
She added: "Every donation stays in the area to help as many children as possible. We need to do what we can as there are so many families struggling with day-to-day living now."
Gifts are welcome to be dropped off to Grampian Property Centre, 73 High Street, Forres until December 13. Alternatively, make an online bank transfer to Pamela Nicol, sort code 80-46-74, account number 01612258.
